French government caves to pressure after worst riots in decades

A police car burns after clashes between police and protesters, in Marseille, southern France. Picture: APSource:AP

The French government has backed down on planned fuel tax hikes, but furious rioters say they will maintain the rage as the changes are “too little, too late”.

The French government has caved in after the worst riots in decades and delayed an increase in energy taxes in response — but it was seen as “too little, too late” by many protesters whose anger seems increasingly focused on embattled President Emmanuel Macron.

A police car burns after clashes between police and protesters, in Marseille, southern France. Picture: APSource:AP

France's President Emmanuel Macron, delivering a press conference on the second day of the G20 Leader's Summit, in Buenos Aires, on December 1 as riots raged in France. Picture: APSource:AFP

‘MACRON DICTATOR’

Demonstrators were back in the streets wearing their signature yellow vests. They blocked several fuel depots and, on a highway near the southern city of Aubagne, commandeered a toll booth to let motorists pass for free near a sign reading “Macron dictator.”